Gambling problem!

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Does anyone else have a gambling problem? I'm 21 with a two year old, I'm currently 20 weeks pregnant & on benefits. I should be saving for the new baby but I keep gambling and I just feel so stupid and ashamed! I'm in my overdraft of £500 as of today and it's going to take me a month to get out of it and that's not spending money which isn't going to happen because I'm living on my own so have bills to pay. I only have £100 & something left in my savings which I'm going to have to live off for the next few weeks which seems impossible!! I've asked for my account to be deleted so I can't just log in and play which is what I've been doing and I lose control. I just need some kind of support! My boyfriend is mad at me because of how much money I've wasted and now basically in debt and I don't know what to do. I know I need to save money but I feel so lost and alone. I don't want to feel sorry for myself but I feel so stuck right now and have no one to help me financially. Please tell me I'm not alone.

bumping for you

This thread might be better in addictions section where someone maybe able to advise.

Have you tried contacting GamblersAnonymous?

I m not a gambler but my brother was ( AFAIK he no longer is). I know how debilitating it can be. I think it’s important to tell yourself you will never win back what you lost, you have to let it go. You are winning by no longer gambling and walking away from his very very damaging and self destructive addiction.
You are very young and have time to rebuild. Definitely contact Gamblers Anonymous to get professional help.
Don’t let shame stop you getting the help you need. You’ve taken the first steps by coming on here. Best of luck .

“ from THIS very very damaging...”

There is a charity called Gamcare who will give you the support you need - that might be in the form of someone friendly with good, realistic advice to chat to on the phone, or a specialist counsellor, or group support.

Right now you have an addiction, and are already getting into unreasonable debt. Your partner is right to be annoyed, but hopefully he will be supportive and helpful you through this if you show willing and commitment to getting over this bump in the road, which you absolutely can do.

Please don't let it get like my DH, he started like you, little by little, and ended up with over £30k of debt, no savings, and lost me and DH. I only know so much about Gamcare as they gave me victim support.

You can do this op. You've recognised you have a problem. You've reached out for help here. Now just take the next little step to putting this whole thing behind you.

Sorry, that should have read he lost me and DD (as well as his home, friends, life....)

Could you change your debit card? I have issues with gambling a few years ago online. I banned myself from the site and changed my card so I could only draw money out at a cash point. I wasn't able to use it online etc. It worked for me and I got a normal debit card a year later when I felt more in control

Register on Gamstop and tell as many sites as you can that you have a problem

www.gamstop.co.uk/

Then take a look at www.gamcare.org.uk/Gamcare or Gam-Anon www.gamanon.org.uk

I think it was called a self service card or something like that? Make sure you permanently ban yourself from ALL accounts. You say it will take a month to get rid of the debt, that's going to be hard but it's not impossible. You can quit and be back to normal life very soon if you just take control

Firstly, you are not the only one, it's a common addiction.

Secondly, BBC Radio 4's money box program broadcast on 6th October 2018 has information on how some banks offer features to stop gambling. It's available online and def worth a listen, it's under 30 minutes, and it if helps you stop, it's totally worth it.

Good luck.